Art exhibit by Mayté Saine
“Quererme así,” through Sept. 29, Galería Enmarcarte, Escazú, tel: 2228-2487.

European Film Festival
“Vratné lahve” (Las Botellas Retornables, or Empties) by Czech director Jan Sverák, 7 p.m., Universidad Veritas, http://www.uveritas.ac.cr.

Vocalis in concert
A cappella sextet, 9 p.m., El Observatorio, opposite Cine Magaly, Barrio La California, 2223-0725.

With the road to Copenhagen growing shorter, Costa Rican President Oscar Arias urged all countries to do more to save a threatened, warming planet during a speech on Tuesday in New York City at the opening day of a United Nations summit on climate change.

Arias insisted that the world has a maximum of just eight years in which to act.

“We need to do more, and we need to do it more quickly,” Arias said during his address to representatives from more than 180 countries. “We don't have 20, 40 or 60 years to radically change things. We have, at most, eight years.”

Arias said nations of all income levels must protect forests, which are in decline worldwide, and use clean and renewable energy, which makes up about 20 percent of global consumption.

Arias was one of five leaders that U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon selected to speak at the meeting. U.N. representatives said the president spoke on behalf of middle-income countries, those which officials say play a pivotal role in climate change because they must account for emissions produced by large, developed countries.

During the event, Ban Ki-moon urged countries to reach a specific treaty at Copenhagen to reduce emissions. In his remarks, he commended Japan and the European Union for their commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent before the year 2020.

Costa Rica already has vowed to become the world's first carbon neutral country by the year 2021.

Clash outside the embassy: Several followers of deposed Honduran President Manuel Zelaya linger outside the Brazilian Embassy in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa as police try to disperse them with tear gas, rubber bullets and water hoses.

Gustavo Amador | EFE

Planes in Honduras have been grounded and the de facto government is extending curfews, hoping to stem violent outbreaks following the return of ousted President Manuel Zelaya.

Meanwhile, Roberto Micheletti, the former congressional president who assumed the presidency in Zelaya's absence, encouraged Hondurans to remain strong and “not to lower their guard,” according to a Tuesday article in the Honduran daily La Prensa. He also said he won't chase down Zelaya, who is holed up in the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital.

The deposed president, who was marched out of his home at gunpoint on June 28, arrived at Brazil's embassy on Monday and has been broadcasting messages to his supporters from a Venezuelan television station.

Thousands of Zelaya supporters, who gathered outside the embassy to cheer on the ousted leader, clashed with police who, according to Human Rights Watch, used “excessive force” while attempting to disperse the crowd.

Concerned for the safety of embassy officials, the Brazilian government has asked the United States for protection if necessary, something the northern superpower seems willing to give.

“I am sure we will provide assistance, but we are in the midst of discussions on how to do so,” said Ian Kelly, White House spokesman, in a press conference on Tuesday. “It's a very sensitive situation and we don't want to get into the details (of what actions we will take) … but we are willing to offer our help.”

The U.S. Embassy, which was closed Tuesday for reasons relating to the uncertain political situation, posted a message on its Web site that a decision to reopen “will be taken during the course of the day.” Meanwhile, the embassy urged U.S. citizens living in Honduras to register with the embassy. (The U.S. State Department will be post the latest security information on its Web site).

French residents living in Honduras were warned to “stay in and not to move until further notice” in a message appearing on the French Embassy's Web site on Tuesday.

“This is a situation that could play out in many different ways,” said Luis Guillermo Solís, political analyst and former professor at the University of Costa Rica. “But it's a good opportunity for the parties to reshape the negotiations, as the situation has caused both sides to become seemingly radicalized.”

With the international community (except Panama) unwilling to recognize the November elections and Micheletti consequently turning his back on the lead mediator, Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, the situation was becoming increasingly tense daily. But Zelaya may have opened a window of opportunity, Solís said.

“It would be a shame if a four-month crisis turned into a four-year problem,” he told The Tico Times. “One would have hoped that the elections would be a way out of the crisis, but that is not possible if there is no agreement (between the Honduran government and the outside world).

“If there's no agreement, there's no guarantee that the elections in November would be fair and transparent,” Solís added.

The Transat Jacques Vabre 2009, a trans-Atlantic boat race featuring roughly 30 ships from several European countries, could draw as many as 15,000 spectators to Costa Rica's Caribbean coast for festivities planned around the race's finish line, according to tourism officials.

“The first ships are expected to arrive around Nov. 22,” said Cindy Centeno, of CAC Porter Novelli, a public relations firm in charge of publicizing the event. “We expect tourists to begin arriving around the 20th and stay until the event is over around the 30th.”

As tourists flock to Limón, the port city will offer events and festivities to keep the crowds occupied. Centeno said concerts and live music will entertain guests most nights in hotels, restaurants and bars in the Limón area.

“This is an international event and (the Costa Rican Tourism Board) ICT is doing a lot to prepare the city for all the tourists who arrive,” Centeno said.

ICT estimates that Limón will make around €15,000 (around 󋻱 million) during the 10-day stretch of festivities. The race officially ends when the final ship arrives at the port.

The regatta, which takes place every two years, will launch Nov. 8 from the Port of Le Havre of Normandy. From there, yachts will navigate a 4,340-mile trek across the Atlantic that retraces the coffee trade route from France to the Americas.

This will be the first international sporting event ever held in Limón, and it is further proof of the nation's efforts to develop the country's largest Atlantic port. In June, President Oscar Arias signed a bill providing for investment of $80 million for the renovation and development of the city (TT, June 19).

“This project is part of the overall betterment project of the Limón Port,” said Rashid Esna, engineer in charge of the project. “So as a result, this event will help speed up improvement projects that were planned for this area in the near future.”